Mother charged over deadly assault on twins

A woman has been charged over the murder of her two-month-old baby girl and the attempted murder of the child's twin sister.

The 37-year-old mother, who can not be identified for legal reasons, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on three charges, including murder, attempted murder and intentionally causing serious injury.

In a summary tendered to the court, doctors described the injuries as consistent with 'forces such as shaking and impacts that are not typically generated by accidental causes.'

Police say that in the early hours of April 26 this year, the father was woken by one of the twins making noises.

Police say the father told them he noticed his daughter was pale and limp, and when he removed her from the crib, she had become still and stopped breathing.

The document states the father called the ambulance and was guided over the phone to perform CPR.

By the time paramedics arrived, the baby was in cardiac arrest.

She was rushed to the Royal Hospital but died on the operating table.

Police say scans revealed the baby had significant skull fractures and bleeding in the brain.

Police further allege the twin sister had similar symptoms and injuries including multiple skull fractures, a broken collarbone, fractured ribs and other injuries.

She is still recovering in hospital.

The document states that when the parents were asked by hospital staff to explain why their daughter had a heart attack, the mother replied: “I don't have a clue.”

The tendered document also states that in an interview with police, the mother admitted she was solely responsible for the injuries to the baby girl.

She told police the children's father had nothing to do with it.

Police say the father appeared genuinely shocked and distressed.

The police summary also stated that in the eight week lead up to the girl's death, maternal child health nurses noticed bruising on both children on two separate visits.

The summary also stated that after the twin's birth, the girls developed colic and became difficult to manage.

The magistrate ordered the woman be remanded in custody given the seriousness of the charges.

She later applied to the Supreme Court for bail.

In granting bail, Justice Paul Coghlan described the case as a 'purely tragic one, and said she could be in danger if put in the prison system.

Police did not oppose bail and she has been ordered to return to court in December.